System for determining the shape of a bendable instrument

ABSTRACT

A system comprises an instrument having a bendable portion with first and control elements extending in the bendable portion and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor. The control system operates to, while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element and command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element. The control system also receives a first control element calibration position after moving the first control element the first amount and receives a second control element calibration position after moving the second control element the second amount. The control system also commands the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/603,943, filed on Nov. 21, 2006, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/739,353 entitled “Method For Measuring Angle of Articulating Segment Using Complementary Control Wires” filed Nov. 22, 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bendable instruments come in many forms such as catheters, colonoscopes, endoscopes and the like. Control elements are used to bend the instruments into a desired shape or as part of steering or maneuvering the instrument as needed for a surgical or exploratory procedure for example. While the instrument may be controlled to ultimately reach a desired position, knowing the shape of the instrument may provide useful information for maneuvering the instrument or to aid in the procedure.

What are needed are improved techniques for identifying the shape of a bendable instrument.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention provides method of determining the shape of a bendable instrument by moving at least two control elements first and second amounts without bending the instrument; measuring the first and second amounts; and determining the shape of the instrument from the first and second amounts. In one alternative, the moving step is accomplished without using an actuator connected to a control element. In another alternative, the moving step removes slack from the at least two control elements before the measuring step. In one aspect, the removing step is performed by applying a known drive command to an actuator. In one embodiment, the drive command is insufficient to change the position of the instrument. In one embodiment, the drive command is the current applied to an actuator. In another embodiment, the removing step is performed using a tension measurement taken in a connector that couples an actuator to one of the at least two control elements. In another embodiment, the removing step is performed using a feedback loop that receives input from a sensor. In one aspect, the input from a sensor is related to a tension measurement of a control element. In one embodiment, the sensor is located on or in the bendable instrument. In another embodiment, the sensor is located on or in a connector that joins the bendable instrument to an actuator. In yet another aspect, the sensor is located on or in an actuator connected to a control element.

In another alternative, a step is performed by removing the slack from the at least two control elements during a first time period at a first force limit before removing the slack from the at least two control elements during a second time period at a second different force limit. In one aspect, the first force limit is less than the second force limit.

In another embodiment, the determining step uses a look up table that correlates the first and second amounts to the instrument shape, position or configuration. In another aspect, the determining step uses a modeled kinematic relationship between first and second amounts and the instrument shape, position or configuration. In another aspect, the determining step uses a calculated position delta of the at least two control elements. In another aspect, the determining step uses a calculated position delta of complementary control elements within the at least two control elements. In another aspect, the determining step uses a calculated position delta of a pair of opposing control elements within the at least two control elements. In yet another alternative embodiment, the measuring step includes the steps of (a) moving a control element not being used to bend the instrument; and (b) determining a calculated position delta for the control element not being used to bend the instrument. In one aspect, the determining step uses the calculated position delta for a control element not being used to bend the instrument.

In one alternative, the step of positioning the bendable instrument within a lumen is performed before the moving step. In another aspect, the moving step is performed by the lumen acting on the instrument. In another aspect, the determining step is used to determine the shape of the lumen.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a system for articulating a controllable article or bendable instrument.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connector assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where the bendable instrument or controllable article is a segmented endoscope.

FIG. 4 shows a partial schematic representation of a single tendon bending a segment.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an endoscope traversing a pathway.

FIG. 6 describes the range of motion of bending through the use of three control cables.

FIGS. 7A-7E show the use of three control elements to bend a segment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the use of two control elements to bend a segment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of determining the position of an instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of articulating instruments, bendable instruments and steerable instruments available. Examples of such instruments and various control systems are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,468,203; 6,858,005 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/988,212 filed Nov. 12, 2004, now U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2006/0052664, titled “Articulatable Connector Device for Endoscopes” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety. The application and patents listed above are commonly assigned with this application.

The techniques described herein may be used to determine the shape of a bendable instrument by measuring or manipulating information related to the position of the control implements used to change the shape of or maneuver the instrument. The techniques described herein have several advantages. The techniques are independent of the force used for measurement as well as the tortuosity of the control elements used to maneuver the steerable instrument. The techniques repeatably and reliably reproduce the shape of the instrument. In addition, the techniques described herein enable the measurement and/or determination of steerable instrument shape using measurements of the control elements or cables used to control the instrument. Details of the various alternative embodiments for performing the methods of the invention will be appreciated after discussion of an exemplary bendable instrument and instrument control system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a system 1000 for moving a controllable article 1100, A force generator under control of one or both of a user input device 1140 and a system controller 1145 generates forces that are used to move the controllable article 1100. The forces generated by the force generator are transmitted to the controllable article using force connecting elements 1135 and a connector assembly 1120. The controllable article may also be an articulating instrument or a bendable instrument.

A connector assembly 1120 completes the transmission of power generated by the force generator i 110 and applied to the controllable article 1100. The two portions 1125, 1130 of the connector assembly 1120 are disengagably coupled. The connector portion 1125 is the first connector portion or the force generation side connector. The connector 1130 is the second connector portion or the controllable article side connector portion. When the connector portions 1125, 1130 are in a coupled condition, the force transmission elements 1135 are joined and force generated by the force generator 1110 is applied to the controllable article 1100. When the connector portions 1125, 1130 are not coupled, the connector portion 1130, force transmission elements. 1135 and the controllable article 1100 may be removed, in some embodiments as a single integrated unit, from the connector portion 1125, force transmission elements 1135 and the force generator 1110 or actuators 1115.

The connector assembly 1120 provides the ability to quickly connect and disconnect the two portions 1125, 1130 allows a single force transmission portion to be used with multiple controllable articles. Currently, articulating instruments such as, for example, endoscopes typically have only 4 cables to provide limited control at the tip of the endoscope. Moreover, the connector provides compact organization and efficient coupling of numerous force transmission elements used by highly maneuverable controllable articles. As described below, the connector may also house sensors.

As will be detailed below, the organization provided by the connectors could also provide other advantages to determining the bend of an instrument such as allowing efficient removal of cable slack or measurement of cable movement. Furthermore, the connector can be modified to allow attachment, placement, manipulation and/or operation of sensors used to measure the cables. The connector 1120 may include sensors and/or safety features to help ensure proper operation and articulation of the controllable article. In the discussion that follows, the connector refers to embodiments of the connector 1120 as well as embodiments of the first and second connector portions 1125, 1130. One sensor or feature may indicate or detect translation or movement of the engaging elements (i.e., carriage assemblies 120 described below) or the force transmission elements 1135 themselves. Another sensor or feature may also detect and measure or otherwise quantify the amount of translation or movement of the engaging elements (i.e., carriage assemblies 120 described below), the force transmission elements 1135 themselves or other indicia of the amount of control cable movement. Another sensor or indicator may be used to generate a signal based on contacting a known position used to correlate to the bend or position of the instrument.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a connector assembly 110 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly 110 includes a first connector portion 112 (not shown but within housing 109) and a second connector portion 114. The first connector portion 112 is within the housing 109. The second connector assembly 114 includes a plurality of guide ways 118 each containing a carriage assembly 120. Each carriage assembly contains one or more than one engaging feature 122. Engaging features 122 on carriage assemblies 120, in the second connector portion 114 are adapted to engage with the engaging features 122 on carriage assemblies 120 of the first connector portion 112. One end of the carriage assemblies is connected to force transmission elements or cables 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the cables are Bowden cables. The cables run through a slack area 116. The slack area 116 allows added space for cable slack that may build up during controllable article movement. Thereafter, the cables are connected as desired to the controllable article.

The housing 109 provides a structural base for supporting the connector assembly 110. In this embodiment, the first connector portion 112 (not shown) is secured within the housing 109. The first connector portion and its carriage assemblies are connected via force transmission elements 130 to actuators 105. While four actuators 105 are illustrated, it is to be appreciated that more actuators may be used to drive a corresponding number of carriage assemblies. The housing 109 also provides an opening 107 configured to receive the second connector portion 114. Optionally, either one or both of the opening 107 or a portion of the second connector portion 114 may be keyed to ensure correct orientation prior to connection. When the second connector portion 114 is placed within the opening 107, the first and second connector portions 112, 114 are brought into engagement using an appropriate quick release mechanism, such as for example a cam actuated lever or other engagement device as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. When the first and second connector portion 112, 114 are engaged, forces generated by actuators 105 are transmitted to the controllable article.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment where the bendable instrument is a tendon driven endoscope 2510. The endoscope 2510 has an elongate body 2512 with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion 2516, an automatically controlled portion 2520, and a flexible and passively manipulated proximal portion 2514, which may be optionally omitted from the device. The steerable distal portion 2516 can be articulated by hand (i.e., using mechanical force of a conventional endoscope manual controls adapted to articulate segments) or with mechanical assistance from actuators. In addition, some embodiments allow a user to input steering commands (i.e., via a joystick 2544 or other input device) into a controller that translates the steering commands into endoscope segment movement.

The automatically controlled portion 2520 is segmented, and each segment is capable of bending through a full range of steerable motion. The distal portion 2516 is also a controllable segment. A more detailed description on the construction and operation of the segmented endoscope may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/229,577 filed Aug. 27, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The selectively steerable distal portion 2516 can be selectively steered or bent up to, e.g., a full 180 degree bend in any direction 2518, as shown. A fiber optic imaging bundle 2534 and one or more illumination fibers 2532 may extend through the body 2512 from the proximal portion 2514 to the distal portion 2516. Alternatively, the endoscope 2510 may be configured as a video endoscope with a miniaturized video camera, such as a CCO or CMOS camera, positioned at the distal portion 2516 of the endoscope body 2512. The images from the video camera can be transmitted to a video monitor by a transmission cable or by wireless transmission where images may be viewed in real-time and/or recorded by a recording device onto analog recording medium, e.g., magnetic tape, or digital recording medium, e.g., compact disc, digital tape, etc. LEDs or other light sources could also be used for illumination at the distal tip of the endoscope.

The body 2512 of the endoscope 2510 may also include one or more access lumens 2528 that may optionally be used for illumination, fibers for providing a light source, insufflation or irrigation, air and water channels, and vacuum channels. Generally, the body 2512 of the endoscope 2510 is highly flexible so that it is able to bend around small diameter curves without buckling or kinking while maintaining the various channels intact. When configured for use as a colonoscope, the body 2512 of the endoscope 2510 may range typically from 135 to 185 cm in length and about 13-19 mm in diameter. The endoscope 2510 can be made in a variety of other sizes and configurations for other medical and industrial applications.

The controllable portion 2520 is composed of at least one segment 2522, and preferably several segments 2522, which are, controllable via a computer and/or electronic controller 2540 located at a distance from the endoscope 2510. The segments 2522 may have forces transmission elements or tendons mechanically connected to force generators or actuators to allow for the controlled motion of the segments 2522 in space. The actuators driving the tendons may include a variety of different types of mechanisms capable of applying a force to a tendon, e.g., electromechanical motors, pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic and hydraulic motors, solenoids, shape memory alloy wires, electronic rotary actuators or other devices or methods as known in the art. The linear translation of the actuators within the controller may be configured to move over a relatively short distance to accomplish effective articulation depending upon the desired degree of segment movement and articulation. The movement of the actuators may be measured using sensors to—provide input to the methods described below (FIG. 9).

Each segment 2522 preferably defines at least one lumen running throughout to provide an access channel through which wires, optical fibers, air and/or water channels, various endoscopic tools, or any variety of devices and wires may be routed. A polymeric covering, or sheath, 2530 may also extend over the body of the endoscope 2512 including the controllable portion 2520 and steerable distal portion 2516. This sheath 2530 can preferably provide a smooth transition between the controllable segments 2522, the steerable distal portion 2516, and the flexible tubing of proximal portion 2514.

A handle 2524 may be attached to the proximal end of the endoscope. The handle 2524 may include an ocular connected to the fiber optic imaging bundle 2534 for direct viewing. A cable 2552 provides a connection to a video monitor, camera, e.g., a CCD or CMOS camera, or a recording device 2550. An illumination source 2536 and an illumination cable 2538 is connected to or continuous with the illumination fibers 2534. Alternatively, some or all of these connections could be made at the controller 2540. Luer lock fittings 2526 may be located on the handle 2524 and connected to the various instrument channels.

The handle 2524 may be connected to a motion controller 2540 by way of a controller cable 2542. A steering controller 2544 may be connected to the motion controller 2540 by way of a second cable 2546 or it may optionally be connected directly to the handle 2524. Alternatively, the handle may have the steering control mechanism integrated directly into the handle, e.g., in the form of a joystick, conventional disk controllers such as dials, pulleys or wheels, etc. The steering controller 2544 allows the user to selectively steer or bend the selectively steerable distal portion 2516 of the body 2512 in the desired direction 2518. The steering controller 2544 may be a joystick controller as shown, or other steering control mechanism, e.g., dual dials or rotary knobs as in conventional endoscopes, track balls, touch pads, mouse, or sensory gloves. The motion controller 2540 controls the movement of the segmented automatically controlled proximal portion 2520 of the body 2512. This controller 2540 may be implemented using a motion control program running on a microcomputer or using an application specific motion controller.

The actuators applying force to the tendons may be included in the motion controller unit 2540, as shown, or may be located separately and connected by a control cable. The tendons controlling the steerable distal portion 2516 and the controllable segments 2522 extend down the length of the endoscope body 2512 and connect to the actuators. FIG. 3 shows a variation in which the tendons may pass through the handle 2524 and connect directly to the motion controller 2540 via a quick-release connector 2554. In this embodiment, quick release connector 2254 could be any of the above described connector or engagement assemblies. In this variation, the tendons may be part of the control cable 2542, although they could independently connect to the actuators, so long as the actuators are in communication with the controller 2540.

An axial motion transducer (also called a depth referencing device or datum) 2548 may be provided for measuring the axial motion, i.e., the depth change, of the endoscope body 2512 as it is advanced and withdrawn. The depth referencing device 2548 can be made in many possible configurations. For example, the axial motion-transducer 2548 in FIG. 3 is configured as a ring 2548 that may surround the body 2512 of the endoscope 2510. The axial motion transducer 2548 is preferably attached to a fixed point of reference, such as the surgical table or the insertion point for the endoscope 2S10 on the patient's body. Depth referencing device 2S48, and different examples thereof; as well as segment articulation and cable operation are described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/229,577 filed Aug. 27, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 4 shows a partial schematic representation of a single tendon bending a segment. For clarity, the other parts of a complete endoscope, including other tendons and segments, have been omitted from FIG. 4. Tension applied to a tendon cable is transferred across the entire segment, resulting in bending. The Bowden cable 2610 has a sleeve 2614 attached to the base 2622 of the segment 2601 and also fixed at the proximal actuator end 2603. The tendon cable 2612 is connected to the actuator 260S and the distal segment end 2630. By applying tension to the tendon 2612, only the intended segment 2601 is bent, and more proximal segments are unaffected. The tendon 2612 is placed in tension by the actuator 260S, which is show in this variation, as a motor pulling on the tendon cable 2612. Sensors may be provided on any of the components in FIG. 4 to provide information for the methods described below in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate a variation of the tendon driven endoscope navigating a tortuous path. The path 701 is shown in FIG. 5A. This pathway may represent a portion of colon, for example. In FIG. 5A, the distal tip of the device 704 approaches the designated bend. FIG. 5B shows the distal tip being steered 705 (i.e., from the phantom position to the solid position) to assume the appropriate curve or bend 706. This steering could be performed manually by the user, e.g. a doctor, or automatically using an automatic detection method that could determine the proximity of the walls of the pathway or using images of the pathway generated by the instrument alone or in combination with images generated by an imaging modality outside of the instrument. As described, the bending of the steerable tip is performed by placing tension on the tendon, or combination of tendons that result in the appropriate bending.

The device is then advanced again in FIG. 5C. As it is advanced, the selected curve is propagated down the proximal length of the endoscope, so that the bend 706 of the endoscope remains in relatively the same position with respect to the pathway 701. This prevents excessive contact with the walls, and allows the endoscope to move more easily along the tortuous pathway 701. The endoscope is in continuous communication with the motion controller, and the motion controller can monitor the location of the endoscope within the pathway, e.g., depth of insertion, as well as the selected bends or curves that define the pathway of the endoscope. Depth can be determined by, e.g., the axial motion transducer 2548 previously described, or by more direct measurement techniques. Likewise, the shape of each segment could be determined by the tension applied to the tendons, or by direct measurement, such as direct measurement of displacement of the tendon cables. The motion controller can propagate the selected shape of a segment at a specified location, or depth, within the body, e.g., by setting the lengths of the sides of more proximal segments equal to the corresponding lengths of the sides of more distal segments as the device is moved distally. The controller can also use this information to automatically steer the body of the endoscope, or for other purposes, e.g. creating a virtual map of the endoscope pathway for analytic use.

In addition to measuring tendon displacement, the motion controller alone, a connector of the present invention alone or the controller and the connector operating together can also adjust for tendon stretch or compression. For example, the motion controller can control the “slack” in the tendons, particularly in tendons that are not actively under tension or compression. This action by the motion controller may be used in the methods of the invention as described below. Allowing slack in inactive tendons reduces the amount of force that is required to articulate more proximal segments. In variations described above the umbilicus at the distal end of the endoscope may contain space to allow slack in individual tendons.

The bending and advancing process can be done in a stepwise or continuous manner. If stepwise e.g., as the tendon is advanced by a segment length, the next proximal segment 706 is bent to the same shape as the previous segment or distal steerable portion. A more continuous process could also result by bending the segment incrementally as the tendon is advanced. This could be accomplished by the computer control; for example when the segments are smaller than the navigated curve.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the resulting segment articulation which may be possible through the use of two or three tendons to articulate the controllable segments, including the steerable distal section. FIG. 6 shows one example of a possible range of motion of a controllable segment of the present invention actuated, in this example, by three tendons. A segment in the relaxed, upright position 3001 can be bent in virtually any direction relative to the x-y plane. The figure, as an illustrative example, shows a segment 3002 that has been bent down and at an angle relative to its original position 3001. The angles alpha (α) and beta (ß) describe the bend assumed by the segment. Angle beta describes the angle in the x-y plane and angle alpha describes the angle in the x-z plane. In one variation, the controllable segments of the endoscope can bend through all 360 degrees in the angle and up to 90 degrees in the a angle. An angle α greater than 90 degrees would result in looping of the endoscope. In FIG. 6, the segment is shown bent approximately 45 degrees along angle α. The freedom of movement of a segment is, in part determined by the articulation method, the size of the segment, the materials from which it is constructed, and the manner in which it is constructed, among others. Some of these factors are discussed herein.

The steerable distal portion, as well as the endoscope and the controllable segments are bendable but preferably not compressible or expansible. Thus, in FIG. 6, the centerline 3004 of the relaxed segment 3001 is approximately the same length as the centerline 3006 of the segment after bending 3002.

FIGS. 7A to 7E show the use of three tendons to actuate a segment in a bendable instrument. The control elements shown in this example are all Bowden type cables 3010 that have an internal cable 3012 coaxially surrounded by a housing or sleeve 3014 in which the cable is free to move. Bowden cables can be used to apply either tensile or compressive forces, i.e., they may be pushed or pulled, to articulate the endoscope and can be actuated remotely to deliver forces as desired at locations along the endoscope. Force from a tendon is exerted across or through the segment by attaching the tendon cable at the distal end of the segment 3020 and the tendon housing 3014 at the proximal end of the segment 3022. FIG. 7A shows a view of the top of the segment with three attachment sites for the tendon cables indicated 3020.

In one variation, three tendons are used to actuate each segment, including the steerable distal portion, although four or more tendons could be used. Three tendons can reliably articulate a segment in any direction without having to rotate the segment or endoscope about its longitudinal axis. The three cable tendons 3012 are preferably attached at the distal end of the segment 3020 close to the segment's edge, spaced equally apart. In FIG. 7A, tendons are attached at the two o'clock, six o'clock and 10 o'clock positions. It is desirable to use fewer tendons, because of space concerns, since the tendons controlling each segment project proximally to the actuators. Thus, two tendons could be used to control a segment it may also be desirable to include one or more biasing element, e.g., a spring, to assist in articulating a segment in three dimensions. In another variation, two tendons may be used to bend a segment in three dimensional space by controlling motion in two directions while rotating the segment about its longitudinal axis.

FIG. 7B shows a relaxed segment with three tendons attached. The tendon sleeves 3014 are shown attached to the proximal end of the segment 3022 directly below the corresponding cable attachment sites. FIGS. 7C, 7D and 7E show this segment bent by each of the controlling tendons 3010 separately.

As shown in FIG. 7C, applying tension by pulling on the first tendon 3030 results in a bending in the direction of the first tendon 3030. That is, looking down on the top of the unbent segment (as in FIG. 7B), if the first tendon is attached at the six o'clock position, then pulling on just this tendon results in bending the segment towards the six o'clock position. Likewise, in FIG. 7D, putting tension only on a second tendon 3032 attached at the two o'clock position results in bending the segment towards the two o'clock direction. Finally, pulling on the tendon in the ten o'clock position 3034 bends the segment towards the ten o'clock direction. In all cases, the bending is continuous; the greater the tension applied, the further the bending (the a angle, in the x-z plane of FIG. 6). A segment can be bent in any direction by pulling on individual tendons or a combination of two tendons. Thus, to bend the segment in the twelve o'clock direction, both the second 3032 and the third 3034 tendon could be pulled with equal force. Alternatively, first tendon 3030 in the six o'clock position may be pushed either alone or in combination with second 3032 and third tendons 3034 being pulled to result in the same configuration.

In all these variations, the circumferential locations of the tendons and/or biasing elements are illustrative and are not intended to be limited to the examples described herein. Rather, they may be varied according to the desired effects as understood by one of skill in the art.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a simplified segment 810 of a bendable instrument 800. Segment 810 is one segment within the bendable instrument that may be configured as described above in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example. Control elements 820, 830 are similar to those described above and are actuated to bend the segment 810. Two control elements are illustrated for simplicity of explaining the methods of the invention. The invention is not however limited only to bending segments using only two control elements or to segments having only two control elements. Three control elements (i.e.”, FIGS. 6 and 7) or more control elements could be used to provide the desired degree of control. The techniques of embodiments of the invention may also be applied, for example, to a steerable instrument and control system that utilizes articulating segments with two opposing control elements, such as wires, for each axis of articulation. Alternatively, in a three element system, an articulating segment with three control elements acting in concert to control both axes of articulation.

Complementary control elements operate cooperatively to control the bend of a segment. Two or a pair of complementary control elements may be used to control the bend of an instrument within a plane, for example. As illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B, control elements 820, 830 are a complementary pair of control elements for the segment 810. The plane of articulation is within the page. In FIG. 8A the control elements 820, 830 are shown in the neutral position 840 where the segment 810 is straight or non-bent. In normal use, articulation of the exemplary segment 810 is achieved by pulling one control element while leaving the opposing control element slack. FIG. 8B shows the segment 810 bending to the right into position 835. The position 835 is achieved when the segment 810 bends by pulling on control element 830 while control element 820 is slack. As a result, pulling control element 830 moves the control element 830 an amount 860 from the neutral position 840. The movement of the segment 810 into position 835 moves control element 820 an amount 850 from the neutral position 840.

The flow chart 900 in FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method of determining the shape a bendable instrument according to the invention. The first step, step 910, includes moving at least two control elements first and second amounts without bending the instrument. In one embodiment, the step of positioning the bendable instrument within a lumen is performed before the moving step.

The second step, step 920, includes measuring the first and second amounts. At 925, the method includes bending the instrument by moving the at least two control elements, as further discussed in connection with FIGS. 8A and 8B.

The position or amount of movement of the control elements can be measured using any suitable indication or device in any suitable position. The amount of control element movement may be obtained through measurement or indication taken on the control side such as system controller 1145, an actuator connected to a control element, or the force generator 1110 via encoder or other suitable measurement device. The amount of control element movement may be obtained through measurement or indication taken on any of the components illustrated in FIG. 4. The amount of control element movement may be obtained through measurement or indication taken from a sensor on or in a connector that joins the bendable instrument to an actuator. Exemplary connectors include embodiments of the articulatable connector 110 illustrated in FIG. 2 and further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/988,212 now U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2006/0052664 titled “Connector Device For A Controllable Instrument.” The amount of control element movement may be obtained through measurement or indication taken on a bendable instrument, the controllable article 1100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the segmented instrument 2510 in FIG. 3, the segment 2601 or the cable 2612 in FIG. 4.

Any of the components of the controllable instrument, the connector (if present) or the control or actuation system may be modified to include sensors. These sensors are adapted based on their position in the system and relationship the control cables to provide measurement of the amount of control cable movement or other information useful for embodiments of the invention. Sensors may be located in either or both of the connector portions 112, 114 or in any of the connection and release mechanisms described herein. Any of a wide variety of commonly available sensors may be used to accomplish the functionalities described herein such as, for example, reed switches, electro-optical switches, resistive switches, contact switches, optical indicators, strain gauges, stress gauges, measurement indicators and the like. Sensors may be used to provide a tension measurement taken in a connector that couples an actuator to one of the at least two control elements. In one embodiment, the measurement instrument is an optical encoder. In one embodiment, the tensioning element or actuator is a permanent magnet brushed DC motor. Movement of the DC motor may be measured, controlled and monitored using an optical encoder.

A sensor or sensors may provide input to a feedback loop used to monitor performance of the steps in method 900. A sensor may be used to monitor slack removal from control elements. In one aspect, the input from the sensor is related to a tension measurement of a control element.

Additionally, the output or signal from a sensor may be integrated into the control system. For example, sensors within the connector could be used to measure carriage assembly movement inside of a connector as the indication for measuring amounts of control cable movement. Such a sensor may be coupled to or in communication with a portion of the connector assembly and have an output that indicates the control cable position. Furthermore, the control system could be adapted to use the output of the sensor, in place of or in addition to encoders on the instrument to control and/or monitor the position, shape, and movement of the instrument. It is to be appreciated that sensors used herein may be adapted to provide information used during the moving step 910, the measuring step 920 and/or the determining step 930.

In a specific example where the controllable article is a steerable endoscope, the tip of the endoscope and different segments or positions of the endoscope could be determined using the position of the carriage assembly/assemblies and cables used to control those segments. In another example, a sensor may be used to determine the length of travel of a carriage assembly. The length of travel of a carriage assembly may be used to correspond to or be part of the measuring or determining step of the present invention. For example, predetermined relationships between the carriage assembly position and the segment angle (i.e., using look up tables or kinematics relationships) could be used as part of the determining step.

Embodiments of the connector described in FIG. 1 may be particularly well suited for determination of position of the control cables using the position and/or movement of the cables or carriage assemblies or other components within the connector 1120. For example, the position, shape, and/or movement of the tip of a steerable endoscope or portion thereof could be measured and/or determined using the position of the cables, carriage assemblies or other components within the connector 1120. The amount of within connector movement of the cables, carriage assemblies or components may be correlated to an amount, degree or type of bending or instrument position. As such, by monitoring, measuring and/or determining within connector movements, the position of the tip, sections, segments or modules of a controllable article may be determined using the methods of the invention. In some embodiments, measurement of linear motion of a control cable within the connector may be used to determine segment position including the position and movement of the instrument tip. Sensors to detect movement may be placed in one or both connector portions 112, 114 or elsewhere on the instrument, an actuator using to articulate the instrument or in the control system.

Optionally, the slack may be removed from the control elements before the instrument bending, measuring, or determining steps. In one embodiment, the step of removing slack from the control elements is performed before the measuring step. In one example, accuracy of control element measurement is achieved by simultaneously pulling all control elements with a constant force to remove the slack from the control elements. Simultaneously pulling all of the control elements reduces the likelihood that the removal of the slack would change the position of the instrument and adversely impact the measurement technique.

One embodiment of the method includes the step of removing slack from the at least two control elements of the set of control elements before the measuring step. While the removal of slack can lead to increased accuracy, inadvertent instrument segment movement during slack removal will diminish accuracy. As such, the removing step is completed without changing the position of the instrument. One way to ensure that the position of the instrument is not changed is to power an actuator with a known drive command. In one alternative, a drive command is selected that is insufficient to change the position of the instrument. One type of drive command is the drive current used to operate an actuator. A low drive current may be selected and used to remove slack but not result in articulation. While the low drive current ensures that segment movement does not occur, it may remove slack at a slow rate. In an alternative slack removal technique, there is provided the step of removing the slack from the at least two control elements during a first time period at a first force limit before removing the slack from the at least two control elements during a second time period at a second different force limit. In one alternative, the first force limit is less than the second force limit. The use of a two step slack removal process allows a lower force to be applied first for a short period of time for gross slack removal. Then, after the first time period has elapsed and when it is likely that the gross slack is removed, the force limit for slack removal is increased. In any event, the force limits selected are insufficient to result in segment articulation. This method could be used on the non-controlling wire of a wire set. For example, pull the slack out of the wire not currently being used for control to gain a measurement of the angle or position actually achieved. It is to be appreciated that the concept of removing slack, generally understood in the context of flexible control elements, may also be applied to control rods, semi-rigid control elements or rigid control elements by placing the control element under tension to improve the reliability and repeatability of the steps of the inventive method.

In one alternative of the two step force removal technique, the first step is a high speed removal at a low force. Next, the speed of removal is reduced and the force of removal increased. In this way the first step quickly removes the gross slack and the second step confirms the removal of slack and holds the wires in tension for increased accuracy during the measuring step. In the case where complementary control cables are used, the counter balancing action of the wires mitigates any tendency of the applied slack removal forces to result in segment articulation.

The third step, step 930, includes determining the position of the instrument from the first and second amounts.

After moving the control elements to bend a segment and then measure the amount of movements, the next step is to determine the position of the instrument from the measured amounts. One technique to aid in the removal of common mode factors involves the use of a position delta. The technique is independent of the force used for measurement as well as the tortuosity of the control elements used to maneuver the steerable instrument. The position delta is used to normalize the obtained measurement information for a control cable. The position delta may be explained through reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. The position delta can be calculated by subtracting a neutral or calibrated position from a measured position. The position delta for controllable element 820 is obtained by subtracting the neutral position 840 from the measured position 850. Similarly, the position delta for controllable element 830 is obtained by subtracting the neutral position 840 from the measured position 860. In one aspect, the determining step uses a calculated position delta of the at least two control elements. In one embodiment, summing the position deltas 870 from opposing control elements such as control elements 820, 830 yields a result which has a relationship with the bend, angle or shape of the segment.

In one embodiment, the determining step uses a calculated position delta of complementary control elements within the at least two control elements. In an alternative embodiment, the determining step uses a calculated position delta of a pair of opposing control elements within the at least two control elements. The relationship between the opposing control elements position delta or sum of the position deltas and the shape or angle of the segment is essentially independent of the tortuosity/friction in the cables and of the force used in the measurement. In one embodiment, summing the position deltas from opposing control elements yields a result which has a linear relationship with the angle of the segment. Numerous techniques may be used to perform the determining step. In one technique, the determining step comprises using a look up table that correlates the first and second amounts to the instrument position. In yet another technique, the determining step comprises using a modeled kinematic relationship between first and second amounts and the instrument positions.

In one embodiment of the method of the invention, complimentary control elements are used to measure the angle α segment has taken after the control elements have been relaxed. When the control elements are relaxed, the instrument is allowed to assume the shape of its surroundings. The surroundings act as an external force to move the instrument. Information determined using the methods of the invention such as the bend, position, shape, or angle of the instrument at this time may be used as an indication of the shape of the surroundings influencing the position, shape or angle of the instrument. This is one way of using the determining step to determine the shape of the lumen. As a result, the moving step is accomplished without using an actuator connected to a control element. In another embodiment, the moving step is performed by the lumen acting on the instrument.

In an alternative embodiment of the measuring step, the position of the instrument is determined using a control element not being used to control a segment (i.e., a slack cable). In this alternative, the measuring step includes moving a control element not being used to bend the instrument. Thereafter, perform the step of determining a calculated position delta for the control element not being used to bend the instrument. The position delta can then be used as described above. In another aspect of this alternative, the determining step uses the calculated position delta for a control element not being used to bend the instrument. As such, moving may be accomplished by forces external to the instrument.

It is to be appreciated that the moving, measuring and determining techniques described herein may also be used to determine the neutral position 840. The ability to accurately control an instrument is based in part on the ability to repeatably and reliably determine a neutral or calibration position. One exemplary position is the straight or unarticulated position illustrated in FIG. 8A. The instrument may be held manually or secured to a calibration fixture that holds the instrument in the desired calibration position. Once in the desired position, the slack is removed from all of the control elements to measure and determine the neutral or calibration position 840 for each control element. The techniques described herein may be used periodically to determine and/or confirm the characteristics of the control cables relative to the neutral or calibration condition. In this way, changes in control element performance due, for example, to temporary elongation (i.e., stretch) or permanent elongation (i.e., cable construction or creep) may be monitored and used to compensate for control element changes.

Although the endoscope connectors and assemblies have been described for use with colonoscopes, the connector and engagement assemblies of the present invention may be configured for the efficient control of a wide variety of controllable articles in the a number of other medical and industrial applications. In addition, they can also be configured for use with catheters, cannulas, surgical instruments, interluminal instruments, and/or introducer sheaths that use the principles described above for navigating through body channels or within the body. They may also be used for industrial applications such as inspection and exploratory applications within tortuous regions, e.g., machinery, pipes, difficult to access enclosures and the like.

In yet another variation, the motion controller assemblies can be used to control the automatically controlled proximal portion to follow the selected path and, if necessary, to return to a desired location using the three-dimensional model in the electronic memory of the controller. While the above illustrative embodiments have described mechanical connections and force transmissions of the first and second connector portions, it is to be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the connector of the present invention may be modified and adapted to accommodate other forms of energy, position, or force transfer including but not limited to, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and the like. Modification of the above described assemblies and methods for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A system, comprising: an instrument having an elongated bendable portion; a first control element extending at least partially through the bendable portion; a second control element extending at least partially through the bendable portion; and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor and configured to: while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element; while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element; receive, from the sensor, a sensed position of the first control element after moving the first control element the first amount, the sensed position of the first control element being defined as a first control element calibration position; receive, from the sensor, a sensed position of the second control element after moving the second control element the second amount, the sensed position of the second control element being defined as a second control element calibration position; command the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position by moving one or both of the first control element and the second control element from the respective first control element calibration position and second control element calibration position; measure a first movement amount the first control element moved from the first control element calibration position; measure a second movement amount the second control element moved from the second control element calibration position; and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion by correlating the first movement amount and the second movement amount with the shape of the bendable portion based on a modeled kinematic relationship.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the actuator comprises a first actuator coupled with the first control element and a second actuator coupled with the second control element, wherein the control system is further configured to command the first actuator to remove slack from the first control element and the second actuator to remove slack from the second control element.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the control system is configured to command the actuator to remove slack from the first control element and the second control element without moving the bendable portion.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the bendable portion is in a straight configuration in the neutral position. 18-19. (canceled)
 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor associated with the first control element and a second sensor associated with the second control element.
 21. The system of claim 14, wherein the control system is configured to move one or both of the first control element and the second control element from the respective first control element calibration position and second control element calibration position by moving one or both of the first control element and the second control element using the actuator.
 22. The system of claim 14, wherein commanding the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element or commanding the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element comprises sending a measuring tension in the first control element or the second control element.
 23. The system of claim 14, wherein commanding the actuator includes sending a predetermined drive command to the actuator.
 24. The system of claim 14, further comprising a steering controller, wherein the control system is configured to receive a control signal from the steering controller and wherein the commanding of the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position is based on the received control signal.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the predetermined drive command causes the one or more actuators to apply a force to the first control element and to the second control element, the force being insufficient to move the bendable portion from the neutral position.
 26. A system, comprising: an instrument having an elongated bendable portion; a first control element extending at least partially through the bendable portion; a second control element extending at least partially through the bendable portion; and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor and configured to: while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element; while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element; receive, from the sensor, a sensed position of the first control element after moving the first control element the first amount, the sensed position of the first control element being defined as a first control element calibration position; receive, from the sensor, a sensed position of the second control element after moving the second control element the second amount, the sensed position of the second control element being defined as a second control element calibration position; command the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position by moving one or both of the first control element and the second control element from the respective first control element calibration position and second control element calibration position; measure a first movement amount the first control element moved from the first control element calibration position; measure a second movement amount the second control element moved from the second control element calibration position; and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion by correlating the first movement amount and the second movement amount with the shape of the bendable portion based on correlation values stored in a look up table.
 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the actuator comprises a first actuator coupled with the first control element and a second actuator coupled with the second control element, wherein the control system is further configured to command the first actuator to remove slack from the first control element and the second actuator to remove slack from the second control element.
 28. The system of claim 26, wherein the control system is configured to command the actuator to remove slack from the first control element and the second control element without moving the bendable portion.
 29. The system of claim 26, wherein the bendable portion is in a straight configuration in the neutral position.
 30. The system of claim 26, wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor associated with the first control element and a second sensor associated with the second control element.
 31. The system of claim 26, wherein the control system is configured to move one or both of the first control element and the second control element from the respective first control element calibration position and second control element calibration position by moving one or both of the first control element and the second control element using the actuator.
 32. The system of claim 26, wherein commanding the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element or commanding the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element comprises measuring tension in the first control element or the second control element.
 33. The system of claim 26, wherein commanding the actuator includes sending a predetermined drive command to the actuator.
 34. The system of claim 26, further comprising a steering controller, wherein the control system is configured to receive a control signal from the steering controller and wherein the commanding of the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position is based on the received control signal.
 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the predetermined drive command causes the one or more actuators to apply a force to the first control element and to the second control element, the force being insufficient to move the bendable portion from the neutral position. 